The end of days is one of the best themes to deal with in film, I think. Impending apocalypse is a thoroughly interesting subject that can be explored in multiple ways and that can be adapted to any director or writer’s style.

Putting execution aside for a minute, War of the Worlds, Melancholia, The Road, 2012, among many others, work from intriguing premises and situations that give way to fascinating what-ifs.

As an account of the end of days from the perspective of two people, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World works. As a bittersweet, clever dramedy about the final weeks before Earth’s demise, it works too. As a romance, it fails miserably.

It’s there in the title: Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, so when the relationship between Dodge and Penny (Carell and Knightley) takes a forced turn into romantic territory, it’s uncomfortable and unwelcome. The story didn’t ask for it and the actors share zero chemistry.

Carell, in another iteration of his tired, depressed loner character (after Little Miss Sunshine and Crazy, Stupid, Love., among others), doesn’t offer anything new. But his costar Keira Knightley shuns the stuffy gowns and shows impeccable comedic timing as the adorable Penny in one of the finest performances of 2012.

I like Steve Carell, I love Keira Knightley and I thought Lorene Scafaria’s previous screenplay for Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist was wonderful. However I absolutely no desire to see this and I can’t explain why.

Fantastic review, you’ve really nailed the film here. I agree almost 100% with you, the only slight difference for me is that although the romance is unneeded, abrupt, and unwelcome – I don’t think it failed quite as badly as you suggest. I wish it hadn’t gone there and there wasn’t a whole load of chemistry between the two, but I felt that it had it’s moments and wasn’t completely unforgivable.
Also it’s great that you highlight Keira and her comedic timing, she completely surprised me here and I now just want to see her tackle other comedic material.

Nice review Fernando! I agree that apocalypse makes for an interesting film premise and there are a lot of them I like but I’m not that interested in this one. Even in the trailer it’s obvious she and Carrell have no chemistry, that’s too bad as I generally like Carrell a lot. It’d be nice to see the underrated Melanie Lynskey in the lead role, I bet she’d be really good.

I was very charmed by this movie, it had flaws but for me it actually worked as a romance and I found the scenes between the two very sweet. I actually prefered Carrel here, loved his work here and his courage in the final scene.